LEWISTON — Trinity Jubilee Center held its 14th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Sunday at the first Universalist Church, hoping to fund as many meals as possible for the hungry and homeless of Lewiston and Auburn.

Erin Reed, executive director or Trinity Jubilee Center, said the event is its only fundraising event of the year, and all proceeds go directly to the soup kitchen and food pantry.

“People come to enjoy a dinner with their family,” reed said, “and that lets us provide dinner for other families that can’t provide their own.”

She said the events sees a strong community turnout, with many of the same people coming every year.

“They come with their kids, their mémère, even friends from school,” she said.

The fundraiser requires each person to buy a piece of donated pottery, ranging in price from $10 to $50, depending on size.

Every $25 raised provides 25 meals for the Trinity Jubilee soup kitchen. A $100 donation funds 100 meals and sponsors a full day of operation for the soup kitchen.

Included with the purchase at Sunday’s fundraiser: dinner, dessert and live music by local musicians.

This year’s pottery was donated by The Potter’s House, Edgecomb Potters, Carrie White, Georgetown Pottery, Saltbox Pottery, Portland Pottery, Meadow Muffin Pottery and Mudroom Pottery.

Most of the pieces were bowls, but there were also mugs, vases and trays in many colors and finishes.

There were also pottery pieces — at $5 each — provided by St. Dominic Academy art students.

Julie-Ann Shaw and her husband, David, said they were there for the pottery and to support the Trinity Jubilee Center.

“It’s a great idea for a fundraiser,” Julie-Ann said. “It’s good for the community. I love what Trinity does for the community. And you also get to experience local foods.”

They attended this year with friends Mark and Marie Sampson. Mark said he supports Trinity through work and wanted to help more by coming to the fundraiser.

This year’s soup menu included a variety of options: meat chili from Ben’s Burritos, minestrone from DaVinci’s, hot and sour soup from Wei Li and sweet potato apple from Guthrie’s.

There were also drinks, bread and desserts.

Volunteer Patty Johnson said this is her first year helping at the Empty Bowls fundraiser although she intiially became involved with Trinity Jubilee by donating socks and gloves during winter.

“I started helping last winter with things they said they needed online. Then I saw this opportunity and wanted to help,” she said. “It looks like they are doing such good things. That’s why I wanted to help.”

Those interested in making a financial donation to the Trinity Jubilee soup kitchen or food pantry should go to trinityjubileecenter.org.

According to Trinity Jubilee’s website, its kitchen serves 100 meals each day to the hungry and homeless. For many, the site says, it is the only hot meal they eat all day.

Richard Bevins and Linda Sommer pick out two pottery bowls during the 14th annual Empty Bowls Supper at the First Universalist Church of Auburn on Sunday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Charlie Dresdner, 9, of Auburn smiles at her father, Rabbi Sruli Dresdner, while playing the fiddle during the 14th annual Empty Bowls Supper at the First Universalist Church of Auburn on Sunday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

Students of Greg and Jessie Boardman play music during the 14th annual Empty Bowls Supper at the First Universalist Church of Auburn on Sunday. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal)

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